A guide to saying it correctly
How to Pronounce Dubrovnik
Pronounce this historic Croatian city's name with confidence. Learn the stress and vowel sounds.
dubrovnik
DOO-brohv-nik
/ˈduːbroʊv.nɪk/ · DOO · brohv · nik
Native US English · Kokoro neural TTS · 0:01
It's frequently mentioned in news reports about tourism or historical sites in the Adriatic region.
Where the word comes from
The name Dubrovnik comes from the Slavic word 'dubrava,' meaning 'oak forest,' combined with the Slavic suffix '-nik,' indicating a place or inhabitant. It was also historically known by its Italian name, Ragusa.
Common ways people get it wrong
- doo-BROV-nik The stress is on the first syllable, not the second. Make sure the first 'o' sounds like the 'o' in 'go'.
- doo-brov-NIK The final syllable is unstressed and should have a short 'i' sound, like the 'i' in 'is'.
Frequently asked
Is Dubrovnik a city or a country?
Dubrovnik is a city located on the Adriatic coast in Croatia. It's a major tourist destination known for its medieval architecture.
What's the most common mistake when saying Dubrovnik?
The most common mistake is misplacing the stress, often putting it on the second syllable. The stress should be on the first syllable: DOO-brov-nik.
How do you pronounce the 'v' sound in Dubrovnik?
The 'v' sound is pronounced like the English 'v' in 'very.' The second syllable, 'brov,' rhymes with 'glove' or 'shove'.
